Georgia celebrates onset of EU visa-waiver program
Officials in Georgia have hailed a first day of European Union’s visa-free travel program for the country’s citizens, saying the “historic” day would mark a beginning toward the Georgia’s integration into Europe.
“Historic day for Georgia to enjoy visa free travel to the EU! Thanks to our friends! Go Georgia towards European integration!” Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili said on Tuesday on his Twitter account.
Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili also hailed the move as a beginning for Georgia’s return to the “European family.” He, along with his cabinet members and some lawmakers of the parliament, embarked on a trip to two major European cities to mark the beginning of the visa-free travel program.
“Today, together with students, we are travelling to the oldest cultural capital of Europe -- Athens... Midday, we will travel to the political capital of Europe -- Brussels -- to celebrate this big achievement," Kvirikashvili said in separate televised remarks.
According to the waiver granted to Georgia by the EU, Georgians can stay in the EU countries for non-work purposes for up to 90 days, over any 180-day period. The United Kingdom and Ireland are excluded from the destinations.
Georgia, a former soviet state, has been ruled by successive pro-Western governments over the past years and officials have repeatedly urged the EU to grant visa-free travel to help deepen ties. Tbilisi has carried out extensive reforms to meet EU standards on document security, border management, migration and asylum.
That has also been the case in Ukraine, another ex-soviet country, where a pro-Western government rose to power in 2014 at the expense of a Russian-backed one. The EU has vowed to allow visa-free travels to Europe for Ukrainians this summer.
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